Members of the Second Continental Congress signed their name to a document July 4, 1776, that would change the course of history. The Declaration of Independence not only stated the formal case for the American colonies’ separation from the British Empire; it expressed a radical idea: that the people of a nation should determine their own government.

 

The start of the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” is likely the most-quoted part of the document. The truly revolutionary part of the Declaration comes later. Writing of the people’s right to “alter or to abolish” government, members of the Second Continental Congress started a democratic experiment that continues to this day.

 

American democracy allows for disagreement and discourse, two things colonists felt they did not have under British rule. The Founding Fathers created a more democratic government, not necessarily an easier government to navigate.

 

Representative government can get messy at times. Throughout the country’s history, there have been disagreements and political fights that tested the strength of our government, and each time the United States emerged stronger and better.

 

The last few months have been a trying time for our state. Wisconsin has seen some democratic messiness. Serious disagreements about legislation have turned bitter, in many cases pitting friends, families, and coworkers against each other on opposite sides of contentious debates.

 

With so much political discussion pulling people apart, it is important to remember the thousands of people throughout our history putting their lives on the line for an experiment in democracy.  We owe it to many people to come together and continue refining our government to ensure continued success.

 

Americans are all a product of that democratic experiment.  The Fourth of July is the celebration of the freedoms and rights secured because colonists were bold enough to believe in themselves and change the status quo. The Fourth of July serves as a reminder we are all in this together, Americans continuing the democratic experiment started by our Founding Fathers. If not agreement, then at least mutual respect is necessary to move past these tough months.

 

Now is the time to start mending fences.  Legislative action cannot heal personal wounds.  It is incumbent on each individual to reach out and start the process of mending relationships. The Fourth of July holiday is an excellent opportunity to do so. Celebrate the country as Americans appreciative of healthy political debate and the greatest form of government in the world.